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Tri-City Medical Center: Six Decades of Service
Through the 1950s, the north coastal region of San Diego County was rural and had few services of its own. However, by 1960 the region was beginning to grow rapidly and the fundamental need for community healthcare to maintain prosperity Tri-City Healthcare District “Founding Fathers” 1955 Chamber Presidents: Eugene L. became apparent. Geil (Oceanside), C.H. McLean (Vista) Recognizing this, and B.M. Christiansen (Carlsbad) visionary leaders from the Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista Chambers of Commerce, along with elected officials and business leaders from the three cities, developed a plan for creating a medical center to serve the needs of a growing region. Soon, with the support of a wide array of local leaders and voters, a bond was approved to construct a hospital and the Tri-City Hospital District was formed. On July 16, 1961, Tri-City Hospital, as it was called then, opened its doors with 87 patient beds and care provided by 42 physicians. Two days later, community volunteers formed the Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary to actively participate in their community hospital, and in 1963 community advocates formed the Friends of the Tri-City Hospital to provide philanthropic support.
SIX DECADES OF SERVICE
Over time, the hospital became Tri-City Medical Center, an advanced health care facility with 388 patient beds treating tens of thousands of community members every year. The evolution continued on the philanthropic side as the Friends of Tri-City Hospital grew into the Tri-City Hospital Foundation, which continues to play a major role in bringing the latest in medical technology to the center. After six decades of service, Tri-
For six decades Tri-City has worked hand-in-hand with local fire and EMS agencies to elevate emergency care for the community. City Medical Center remains committed to the community – fulfilling the vision of the leaders who championed its creation. Tri-City Medical Center has kept pace with the ever evolving healthcare landscape while simultaneously aligning with the community through tremendous growth and evolution. As Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista transitioned from an agricultural region to suburban communities and welcomed industryleading businesses, Tri-City Medical Center was there for family health services, labor and delivery support and breakthrough health services that ensured residents could get the care they needed close to home.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
During its first two decades, Tri-City Medical Center expanded its services to meet the increasing needs of a growing population. It added a helipad, cardiopulmonary lab, 46-bed tower, 56-bed north wing, additional surgical suites and a 42-bed maternity unit, bringing the total bed count to 231. Over the next two decades it invested in advanced technologies to bring modern medical services like heart surgeries, MRIs, neonatal intensive care and advanced emergency care capabilities to those who needed it most. Tri-City Medical Center’s six decades of growth has been guided by intentional and strategic investments that align with the needs of the community it serves including new technologies, health services and community care programs to enhance the community’s overall health while improving equity in health outcomes. To support data-driven decision making, Tri-City Medical Center utilizes the Hospital
Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties’ Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which analyzes hospital statistics, community input and major healthcare trends to identify and prioritize the specific health issues affecting communities.
THE LATEST INNOVATIONS
Tri-City Medical Center was among the first hospitals in the region to invest in robotic surgery technologies and procedures that enable surgeons to perform precise, Tri-City has been a leader in adopting cutting edge technologies throughout minimally its 60 year history. invasive surgery in a manner never before experienced. TriCity Medical Center’s da Vinci Xi surgical system has helped patients with minimally invasive procedures in gynecology, urology, heart, orthopedic and general surgery settings. With incisions smaller than a dime, patients recover quicker and get back to living their lives without reservation. Its Mazor Robotics Renaissance system has helped revolutionize spine surgeries in the community and allows patients to move on from injuries so that their time can be spent enjoying fulfilling life experiences. It has embraced innovative new practices and treatments, including being among the first hospitals in the country to use TPA-clot-busting medication to reverse the effects of certain strokes. Tri-City Medical Center’s progressive thinking has earned recognition by the New England Journal of Medicine for being among the top three hospitals in the country in terms of stroke treatment rates.
TCMC has operated a 5-star vaccination clinic since 2020
GRIT AND DETERMINATION
Nonetheless, data and trends can’t predict when a crisis will happen – yet it’s in these moments when a community needs its health care leaders the most. The COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, but Tri-City Medical Center’s team of nurses, administrators and physicians didn’t blink in the face of the largest health care challenge of their lives. With grit and determination, Tri-City Medical Center leaned on its decades of service and centuries of cumulative knowledge to test and treat community members. With renowned physicians specializing in pulmonology and an outstanding ER and intensive care unit, the TriCity family was literally saving lives on an hourly basis. Once the COVID-19 vaccine became available, Tri-City Medical Center hosted vaccine clinics at the hospital, providing nearly 30,000 vaccine doses and counting since its inception. It also helped provide thousands more vaccine doses as part of a multi-agency vaccination partnership at CSU San Marcos and launched a program to help vaccinate homebound seniors as well.
IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE
But Tri-City Medical Center’s quest to advance healthcare in the region isn’t about technologies – it’s about people. To holistically improve people’s lives, the hospital’s dedication extends beyond the care provided within the hospital. Over the years, Tri-City Medical Center’s dedication to community involvement has formalized into its Community Outreach And Support Through Active Leadership (COASTAL) Commitment, which is a wideranging outreach initiative with nearly 60 partner organizations that includes financial and in-kind support from the medical center, along with volunteer leadership from Tri-City staff members in community improvement programs.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Through the COASTAL Commitment, the hospital addresses priority health needs and social determinants of health in the community to align resources and contributions around those issues. By collaborating with organizations such as the three local founding chambers of commerce, school districts and service and advocacy organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA, Operation HOPE-North County, the North San Diego NAACP Youth Leadership Council, New Haven Youth and Family Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and dozens of other community groups, TriCity is moving the needle on issues directly affecting the community beyond the care delivered in the hospital. continued on page 44
Of course, this is just some of what’s been accomplished in the community.
WORLD-CLASS CARE
The combination of world-class care and community stewardship has earned national recognition for the hospital. Tri-City Medical Center has been named a Top 100 Hospital several times, received National Certifications in stroke care and heart failure for its Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, been named a Best Maternity Hospital by Newsweek, won Wound Care Facility of the Year, been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for cardiac care and spine surgery by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and won countless awards for its heart and stroke care. Additionally, in recognition of their commitment and impact on the community, Tri-City has been recognized in recent years with the Community Impact Award from the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Citizen of the Year from the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and Philanthropist of the Year by MiraCosta College. Although accolades have never been the point, they are a symbol of pride in the community for the high level of specialized care their local hospital provides. What was once a small neighborhood hospital in coastal North County is now a beacon of modern healthcare and a regional economic powerhouse. Tri-City Medical Center is grateful for the leadership and foresight of its founders and is honored by the responsibility placed upon it by the community. Nonetheless, the goal was never to create a hospital to help the community for only six decades. Rather, the goal was to create a regional health center that would champion state-of-the-art care while being a fixture in the community for as long as needed. Today, the care and leadership of Tri-City Medical Center is needed more than ever and steps are being taken to continue meeting that need.
FUTURE FOCUS
With a new psychiatric health facility in development on the hospital’s campus in partnership with the
www.oceansidetherapygroup.com
• Pediatric Speech/Language Therapy • Pediatric Occupational Therapy • Pediatric Physical Therapy
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County of San Diego, an emergency department enhancement in the works and partnerships with higher education institutions such as CSUSM, MiraCosta College and Palomar College to train the healthcare workforce of the future, Tri-City Medical Center remains hyper-focused on its mission. Through continued collaboration with regional partners, Tri-City Medical Center is dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of the community it serves for the next century and beyond, just as envisioned 60 years ago.
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce 928 N. Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054
125 Years
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Proudly serving our community since 1961.
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Celebrating 60 years of quality service to our community
As a full-service, acute care hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. Tri-City prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class women ’ s health, robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. tricitymed.org
